"I mainly used crayons and markers to draw and doodle. As I grew, I began using pencils then sharpies. "

In the Beginning There Was Bob and Sharpies

- What it means to me to be an artist & why a create -

Being an artist to me is being a conversationalist without using your mouth to converse. It is a means of standing up for rights deserved, expressing a certain way of thinking, or explaining a lifestyle all through details within a piece of art. An artist can be likened to an author, except in artwork, a story or stories aren't woven together with pages that must be flipped through. Yet, the artwork is a novel within itself.

I was highly motivated as a child to create, because I found artwork to be a great spokesman for me. It has always been one of the best ways for me to explain something that words couldn't exactly describe. So many emotions and messages can be brought to the attention of those creating and enjoying art and I love the feeling that comes with being a part of that.

- How I got started drawing -

I started by being mentored/influenced by Robert Norman Ross who hosted "The Joy of Painting" as Bob Ross on the "Public Broadcasting Service". That show has been played repeatedly on my television both as a child and even now, and it felt like he was talking directly to me through his painting tutorials. As a child, I mainly used crayons and markers to draw and doodle. As I grew, I began using pencils then sharpies. It would be nice to say that a light bulb went off over my head giving me the thought of using sharpies, but I can't. I had a strong urge to create something on paper and all I had to use, besides pens and pencils were sharpies. It's what was around and readily available. I practiced and practiced, and with each piece, I grew to be more and more fond of the work.

Material Things Can Make You Happy

- The sharpies that I use -

I use many different tip widths including:

• "Sharpie Ultra fine": (0.2 mm)
• "Extra Fine": (0.4 mm)
• "Fine": (1 mm)
• "Chisel Tip": (53 mm)

In addition, I use 25+ color variations, but it's important to note that not all tips have all colors. All of the sharpies are quick drying and permanent on most surfaces, however.

- The drawing surfaces -

I primarily use big, medium, and small “Canson: 1557 Drawing Artist Series” on which to work out my art. This is acid free, medium tooth and suitable for final drawings.

Preach What You Practice

- The techniques I use -

My process involves first drawing my image with a pencil on my surface of choice. The primary focus at that point is to 'act' instead of overthinking. If my hands don't adequately produce the vision that I've created mentally, I can just erase any errors that occur - large or small. After getting everything down to my liking, I go over it with the different sharpies. It can be time consuming, but it’s a labor love so a rarely realize the time that has passed.

 "Music is certainly a motivator in art. It gives a jolt to create, but mostly, my art is simply heart felt and spiritually motivated."

- How I keep my skills sharp -

Besides watching YouTube for inspiration from artists I like or happen to find, I constantly stay in the motion of drawing. So, I'm either mentally working through concepts, visually reviewing inspirations, or physically implementing ideas. No matter how dull it may sound or appear, practice does make perfect.

How Great Thou *Art*

- How I get in the mode to create -

Music is certainly a motivator in art. It gives a jolt to create, but mostly, my art is simply heart felt and spiritually motivated. Early on, my pieces were more focused on cartoons and abstract works with hidden meanings. As I've matured, my work is now mainly religious, directed by the Spirit. I hope to do art pleasing to the sight of God and allow the Lord to acknowledge His message within it.  Here and there, I still do a few cartoon drawings or abstract pieces.

- The Blueprint: Examples of how I express thoughts in my art -

One piece that I named "2 Lips", has three separate tulips grown from one sprout. The two tulips on the outer sides are all white from the green leaves, and the top of the tulip in the middle is partially red, dripping to the rest of the plant. The red signifies the blood of Jesus the Christ received by the one, while being spread to the others. The middle tulip being the tallest also represents how God insures growth. The green leaves show how God remains within them, as His Creation, never diverting from His plan and direction, unlike man. Also, the use of tulips is meant to signify that you only need two lips to stand and grow through any good or bad weather. Through any past actions, redemption is still attainable.

"You never know which piece will be the one that touches someone and saves a life... or the world."

Another piece, "Blessings Run Over", shows how God’s blessings overflow. The whole piece is decorated in 4 separate colors - black, white, a bit of purple, and as Sharpie has named it, "brilliant blue". It includes three cups, to signify the Trinity. The upper right is set with clouds, colored black, white, and brilliant blue separately and outlined in black. Through the right corner of the canvas, an arm and hand is down pouring “Holy Water” in a jug type container. The arm, God’s arm, is likened to the clouds but not outlined in black. This was done to show how nothing binds God or has Him between the lines. One cup is filled by God which overflows to the other cups, as well as the whole table. Different patterns and colors fill the cups and table to represent God’s Blessings being an overflow. Only the Holy Water poured from God is colored purple to share similarity to Jesus the Christ’s robe during His Crucifixion.

Reaching Others

Farmville Community Arts Council Marquee honoring Author Michael Horne as Artist of the Month in 2018

- Where my art has been displayed/sold -

I have displayed and sold my art pieces at Farmville Community Arts Council located in Farmville NC, which I’m also a proud member of. In addition, I've had pieces in "The Emerge Gallery", and "Art Center", both also in Farmville, NC. I also displayed and sold art pieces in the "Charles County Art Fest", located in La Plata, MD.

- Advice I have for others interested in this form of art -

My best advice is to not hesitate but instead immediately begin creating once you decide it's something you want to do. Don't worry about mistakes or learning the perfect technique in the beginning, because the whole point of revising, checking over, and having rough drafts is for you to perfect the piece along the way. Just start. You never know which piece will be the one that touches someone and  saves a life... or the world.